Muriel Heagney (1885–1974): Pioneering Labour Woman Leader
Rosemary Francis
Abstract
A committed member of the labour movement from the early 20th century, Muriel Heagney demonstrated her capacity for leadership in her approach to the achievement of equal pay and decent working conditions for women workers in Australia. Societal structures, which determined women to be subject to masculine authority and relegated them to second-class status as citizens and workers, meant that Heagney struggled to penetrate the labour movement hierarchy and therefore found it difficult to achieve her goals. Her confident, determined approach to the solution of perceived problems often led to disputes and controversy, thus undermining her capacity to lead.
Keywords
Muriel Heagney, leadership, gender, equal pay, Labor women, social justice, Australian Labor Party, working class
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